How Much Does it Cost to Paint Kitchen Cabinets?

On average, you’ll spend $1,000 to repaint your cabinets depending on the number you have, and the time and labor required to do so. Professional labor alone runs $30 to $60 per linear foot. You’ll spend another $200 to $600 on supplies like brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and tape. Painting or staining can improve the look of your cabinets, but it can't get rid of the problems inherent with bad cabinet design or structural issues.

• Cheap materials will continue to wear quickly over time. Consider replacement.
• Vinyl paper veneers that peel are harder to fix than wood.
• Replace damaged particle board rather than repaint.

Average Cost to Paint Cabinets Per Square Foot

Painting your cabinets costs $3 to $10 per square foot or $30 to $60 per linear foot for all supplies, materials and labor. Sometimes contractors will charge $100 per door, $25 per drawer or $75 to $150 per cabinet.

Spray Painting Cabinets Cost

Spray painting costs the same as using a brush or roller at a total average of $400 to $1,000. Spray paint gun rentals run $40 to $120 per day. While it provides a smooth, even coat, it requires removing the doors and drawers.

Cost to Repaint Kitchen Cabinets

Repainting costs run an average of $900 for a 150 to 250 square foot kitchen. You can end up paying an additional $600 to $1,500 to remove any existing finish. It will not adhere properly without removing old finishes. If you don't want to sand or scrape away the old paint, use a deglossing or chemical stripping agent.

• Deglossers are especially useful with shiny paint types, lacquer and most clear coats.
• They require removal of handles, knobs and pulls.

Cabinet Paint Cost Calculator

A gallon of paint costs $20 to $60 and covers 300 to 400 square feet. The average kitchen cupboard set will get two coats for each gallon. When purchasing paint, don’t just go for the cheapest product. Higher-priced paints:

• last longer
• resist stains better
• cover evenly

Use our paint calculator to determine exactly how much you’ll need.

Cabinet Painting Alternatives

Painting isn’t the only option. You can always choose to reface or resurface your cabinets for $1,600 to $9,500.

• Refinishing cabinets costs $1,600 to $3,900. Includes paints, stains, varnish, lacquer and epoxy.
• Refacing cabinets costs $4,200 to $9,500. Uses veneers to existing boxes to give your kitchen a fresh, new look without the waste or expense of replacement.

Painting Considerations

Quality impacts:

• Price
• Longevity of appearance
• How quickly or slowly it wears
• Whether it chips
• Its resistance to water, dirt and grime.

Type:

• Oil and water-based:
  • Includes alkyd resins for a varnished look.
  • Used by pros because they form a good, hard and durable surface.
  • Not susceptible to much damage during drying period.
  • Gives off indoor air pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Latex paints:
  • Low VOCs.
  • Dries quickly.
  • Easy to use for DIY projects.
  • Quickly cleaned with water instead of chemical paint strippers.

Paint Color:

• Endless color choices and combinations.
• Some popular cabinet colors include:

• White
• Sky-blue
• Gray
• Black
• Brown

• If you're uncertain about which color works best in your kitchen, you can always consult with an interior designer.

DIY vs. Painting Kitchen Cabinets Professionally

Most of the cost is in the labor. To save money, consider doing it yourself. Painting cabinets makes for an excellent DIY project if you have the time and experience with a roller, brush or sprayer. For 200 square feet, it’ll take you approximately 15 to 30 hours with an additional 20 hours for old finish removal. If you attempt this yourself, avoid these common mistakes:

• Improper prep. Removing all the old paint, stain or lacquer is key to any new coats adhering properly. Never skip this step. Use chemical strippers and hand sanding to completely prep the surface. Not doing this will lead to quick failure of the new covering.
• Leaving doors and drawers in place. You’ll end up missing covered sections. Remove everything you can.
• Not priming properly. Without primer, you’ll end up with varying shades of your chosen color.

A professional has years of experience with this process. They’ll do it quickly, efficiently and with professional results. Don’t risk the DIY look, hire a professional.

Cost to Paint Doors

Expect to pay $100 to $500 per door for fresh paint. This includes all setup, surface prep, supplies and cleanup. On the lower end of the range are interior doors with garage and ornate double entry doors at the higher end. If you add this into another project, like trim or cabinets, or have multiple doors, you may get a discount. A few benefits of updating your doors include:

• Combined with trim, it’ll help revitalize and modernize your home.
• Covers old chips and fading from repeated use, age and climate conditions.
• Repainting your exterior and interior doors can help to increase your home's curb appeal.

How Much Paint Do I Need For a Door?

• Interior: Although door sizes vary from 40 to 70 square feet. Assuming 200 square feet for two coats, you’ll need one to two quarts per door if you include the trim and jam.
• Garage: The average 8 by 12 feet, or 96 square feet for the front side requires one quart. If you also do the backside, you’ll need at least ½ gallon.

Cost to Paint Door Jamb

The cost to paint a door jamb is much like trim, or $1 to $3 per linear foot. However, most professionals include this as part of a larger project.

Cost to Paint Interior Doors

On average, painting an interior door ranges from $50 to $200 each. Changing the color of your interior comes with many design considerations including the color of your walls, kitchen, bathrooms and trim.

Cost to Paint Interior Doors & Trim or Frame

Painting a door with the trim and frame runs anywhere from $100 to $350. Just p$1 to $3 per linear foot, though it depends heavily on how detailed it is, the width and if any surface prep is required. A standard door price breakdown:

• A standard interior door has 32 feet of trim plus another 16 feet of frame.
• At $1 to $3 per linear foot for trim, expect to pay $50 to $150 for the trim and frame alone.
• Add $50 to $200 per door for a total cost of $100 to $350 per door.

Cost to Paint French Doors

Painting French doors typically cost $500 to $1,500. Not only are these larger than most, they require extensive preparation. The more windows and details you have, the more you’ll pay. There are two typical pricing scenarios:

• “Time and materials”: $25-$80 per hour. Can take anywhere from 8-25 hours to complete.
• Project rates: $200 to $2,000. Price depends heavily on your location and how detailed the project is.

Door Panels – Flush (flat) vs. Raised-panel

Cost to paint a 6-panel door is the same as any other interior type and runs anywhere from $50 to $200. Panels require more preparation and take slightly longer than a flat type. It usually requires hand sanding and painting with a detailed brush. The only significant difference between these are the indentations around the panels. These collect dirt, grease and grim. You’ll need to clean the doors thoroughly, paying close attention to the mitered areas in each panel.

Cost to Paint an Exterior or Front Door

Painting a front or exterior door costs $100 to $300. Ornate entries with sidelights can quickly double that price. Specific exterior paint for front doors is required or you’ll have premature cracking, drying, UV damage and peeling. The best type to use is 100 percent acrylic latex. It’s both flexible and chemically ready to handle harsh climate conditions. It won't allow for dirt, grease or rust, so your door will be easy to clean. Choose a color that commands attention and suits your house's design.

Cost to Paint Garage Door

The average cost to paint a garage door ranges from $200 to $500. Your garage door is a major exterior feature -- keep it in top condition. If it’s flaking, chipping, peeling or cracking, repaint the door as soon as possible. Consider redoing it completely if it no longer matches the rest of the house or the garage exterior. Garage Door Materials Consider the material of your garage door when choosing paint. If a wood garage door has cracks, bubbling, or peeling, it’ll need a new covering. If the wood is too far gone from rot or damage, it’s time for a new door. New garage door installation costs $700 to $1,500. Never attempt replacement or repairs yourself, find a garage door professional.

How Much Does it Cost to Paint Walls and Ceilings?

Adding an accent wall or painting a ceiling costs $100 to $500 on average. Actual costs depend on the square footage of the wall or room.

• One wall: $100 to $200.
• One room’s ceiling: $150 to $300.
• Painting an entire room costs anywhere from $400 to $1,000.